From the Aug. 26, 1963, Houston Post: Passers-by take a look at studio. KCOH has planned many merchandising promotions to make sales use of their Looking Glass Studio. People passing and other listeners will be invited in to enjoy products advertised on radio KCOH and watch and listen to the program in progress. (Houston Post) less

From the Aug. 26, 1963, Houston Post: Passers-by take a look at studio. KCOH has planned many merchandising promotions to make sales use of their Looking Glass Studio. People passing and other listeners will be ... more

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From the Aug. 26, 1963, Houston Post: The KCOH vehicles, which serve as service cars as well as mobile units are checked by Lee Mayes. KCOH drivers are encouraged to assist motorists who might have flats, empty gas tanks or any other problems. (Houston Post) less

From the Aug. 26, 1963, Houston Post: The KCOH vehicles, which serve as service cars as well as mobile units are checked by Lee Mayes. KCOH drivers are encouraged to assist motorists who might have flats, empty ... more

She's all heart and soul. That's Gladys 'Gee Gee' Hill of KCOH, one of the nation's top soul DJs. Published March 25, 1973. (Houston Chronicle)

She's all heart and soul. That's Gladys 'Gee Gee' Hill of KCOH, one of the nation's top soul DJs. Published March 25, 1973. (Houston Chronicle)

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Cassandra Domanguex, a disc jockey at KCOH, accepts pledges on the air during a radiothon to benefit the Progressive Amateur Boxing Association, while, from left, KCOH disc jockey Joe Williams, the Rev. Ray Martin, and former police Chief B.K. Johnson look on. Published Sept. 2, 1982. (Houston Chronicle) less

Cassandra Domanguex, a disc jockey at KCOH, accepts pledges on the air during a radiothon to benefit the Progressive Amateur Boxing Association, while, from left, KCOH disc jockey Joe Williams, the Rev. Ray ... more

Jon Simmons and Orri Simmmons from the Art of Living Institute are guests on Michael Harris' talk show on radio station KCOH, 2005. (Houston Chronicle)

Jon Simmons and Orri Simmmons from the Art of Living Institute are guests on Michael Harris' talk show on radio station KCOH, 2005. (Houston Chronicle)

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Michael Harris has been at KCOH for more than 30 years. Photo taken in 2005. (Houston Chronicle)

Michael Harris has been at KCOH for more than 30 years. Photo taken in 2005. (Houston Chronicle)

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The console at KCOH, seen here in 2005, has been home to Michael Harris and "Person-to-Person" for decades. (Houston Chronicle)

The console at KCOH, seen here in 2005, has been home to Michael Harris and "Person-to-Person" for decades. (Houston Chronicle)

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Judge reinstates fraud lawsuit against KCOH station operator

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Former longtime KCOH radio host Michael Harris' fraud lawsuit against the station's operator has been reinstated, and he will be asking the court to appoint a receiver to control the corporation's assets.

The case was closed in February, four months after being filed, but was reactivated this month after Harris' lawyer filed a motion to reconsider and argued for reopening the case during a hearing.

Harris sued the South Houston Community Development Corp. (doing business as KCOH 1230 AM) and its president, Jesse Dunn. The lawsuit accuses Dunn of making false representations to induce Harris to secure two personal lines of credit totaling $130,000 for the station and to back $38,000 in financing for radio equipment.

According to court documents, Dunn allegedly acquired a debit card on at least one credit line to pay personal expenses as well as fund trips to Louisiana and Las Vegas casinos.

Dunn has denied misusing funds, and his lawyer, state Rep. Harold Dutton, took to the airwaves last year to dispute Harris' claims as "inaccurate and misleading."

For six decades, KCOH has been the radio voice of Houston's black community. Harris resigned in September after 38 years.

In December, Dutton filed a motion for summary judgment — a request to end the lawsuit — which alleged that Harris failed to make a fraud claim in his petition and that the former radio host "freely and voluntarily executed loans to the station."

Harris County District Court Judge Larry Weiman granted that motion last month.

Robert Collier, Harris' lawyer of record, asked for the case to be reopened because he didn't know about the motion for summary judgment and didn't have time to respond.

Weiman reinstated the case on March 11 in an order that appeared in online Harris County District Clerk records this week.

Collier now plans to file documents requesting that the court place KCOH assets into receivership for accounting and control.

Harris has received a demand letter from Leaf Capital Funding - the company that financed the lease on "broadcast operating systems" equipment - stating that the account is in default, that Harris is responsible for a payment of $43,433.47 and that he "may be immediately sued."

KCOH, which bills itself as the state's oldest black-formatted station, signed on in 1953 and moved to its iconic building in Third Ward in 1963.

Changing owners

The station was on the market until late 2012, when relatives of the late Mike Petrizzo, the longtime majority owner, and other partners sold its signal for $2.1 million to La Promesa Foundation of Midland. That outfit relaunched 1430 AM with Catholic programming as part of the Guadalupe Radio Network.

A group of black investors made an attempt to buy KCOH, but Dunn worked out a deal to lease the use of the historic call letters and the "looking-glass" studios at 5011 Almeda from 1430's former owners.

The new KCOH debuted on 1230 AM in March 2013.

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